This list covers 41 old fashioned boy names, running alphabetically from “Samuel” to “Swithin.” Most come from Hebrew, Greek, Latin, or Old English roots, and many started out as biblical figures, surnames, or occupational titles before becoming given names. Parents today often turn to names like these when they want something with history and weight, whether for a baby name, a character in a story, or a family tree project.
Old fashioned boy names are given names that were common generations ago and carry a timeworn, dignified quality rather than a trendy one. Many trace back to the Bible, ancient Rome, or medieval England, like “Sherwood,” inspired by the legendary forest of Robin Hood. They tend to feel sturdy and formal, which is part of why they still get chosen for babies, characters, and pen names today.
Below you’ll find the table with the name, origin, meaning, and description for each entry.
Name: the given name itself, spelled out so you can see exactly how it looks and reads.
Origin: the language or culture the name comes from, such as Hebrew, Latin, or Old English, showing you its roots.
Meaning: the traditional definition behind the name, giving you a sense of what it originally represented.
Description: a short note on the name’s history or character, helping you decide if it fits what you’re looking for.
Old fashioned boy names
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Samuel | Hebrew | “God has heard” |
| Silas | Latin/Greek | “Man of the forest” |
| Solomon | Hebrew | “Peace” |
| Stanley | Old English | “Stony meadow” |
| Sylvester | Latin | “Wooded, of the forest” |
| Simeon | Hebrew | “He has heard” |
| Seth | Hebrew | “Appointed” |
| Sebastian | Greek/Latin | “Venerable, revered” |
| Solon | Greek | “Wise” |
| Sanford | Old English | “Sandy river crossing” |
| Sherman | Old English | “Shear man, wool cutter” |
| Sumner | Old English | “Summoner, church officer” |
| Seymour | Old French | “From Saint-Maur” |
| Sylvanus | Latin | “Of the woods” |
| Sidney | Old English | “Wide island” |
| Spencer | Old English | “Dispenser of provisions” |
| Stephen | Greek | “Crown, wreath” |
| Sherwood | Old English | “Bright forest” |
| Sigmund | Germanic | “Victorious protector” |
| Selwyn | Old English | “Friend at court, blessed friend” |
| Sylvan | Latin | “Of the woods” |
| Stewart | Scottish | “Steward, guardian” |
| Squire | Old English | “Shield bearer, young nobleman’s attendant” |
| Solomon Grundy | (folk rhyme origin) | “Peace” (from Solomon) |
| Saul | Hebrew | “Asked for, prayed for” |
| Simon | Hebrew | “He has heard” |
| Sterling | Old English | “Little star” or “of high value” |
| Sanders | Old English | “Son of Alexander” |
| Sancho | Spanish/Latin | “Sanctified, holy” |
| Sextus | Latin | “Sixth” |
| Septimus | Latin | “Seventh” |
| Sherlock | Old English | “Fair-haired” |
| Sheldon | Old English | “Steep valley” |
| Sigfrid | Germanic | “Victory and peace” |
| Siegfried | Germanic | “Victory, peace” |
| Sonny | English (nickname origin) | “Son, young man” |
| Sylvester | Latin | “Wooded” |
| Sinclair | Norman French | “From Saint-Clair” |
| Sherwin | Old English | “Swift runner” |
| Somerled | Gaelic | “Summer traveler, viking” |
| Swithin | Old English | “Strong” |
Descriptions
Samuel
A biblical name borne by a great prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel has stayed steadily popular for centuries as a dignified, old-fashioned choice.
Silas
Rooted in the New Testament companion of Paul, Silas has a rustic, storybook charm that made it a favorite in earlier generations.
Solomon
Named for the wise biblical king famed for his judgment, Solomon carries a regal, old-world dignity.
Stanley
A surname-turned-first-name that flourished in the Victorian era, Stanley evokes sturdy, no-nonsense charm.
Sylvester
Popular among early Roman popes and later a classic mid-century name, Sylvester has an old-fashioned theatrical flair.
Simeon
A patriarch’s name from the Old Testament, Simeon has a gentle, timeworn biblical resonance.
Seth
The third son of Adam and Eve in Genesis, Seth is a short, ancient name with lasting old-fashioned appeal.
Sebastian
Borne by a famed Roman martyr saint, Sebastian has long carried an elegant, classic sound.
Solon
Named after the renowned Athenian lawmaker, Solon is a rare, scholarly-sounding vintage choice.
Sanford
A distinguished surname name common in earlier centuries, Sanford has a formal, old-money feel.
Sherman
Originally an occupational surname, Sherman became a respected given name in 19th and early 20th century America.
Sumner
Once an English occupational surname, Sumner had a period of use as a dignified old-fashioned first name.
Seymour
An aristocratic English surname name, Seymour carries a genteel, antique quality.
Sylvanus
A Roman forest god’s name adopted as a biblical figure’s name, Sylvanus is a distinctly old-fashioned rarity.
Sidney
A gentlemanly surname name popular from the 1800s onward, Sidney has a classic, literary feel.
Spencer
Originally an occupational surname, Spencer had a genteel, old-fashioned ring before its modern revival.
Stephen
Honoring the first Christian martyr, Stephen has been a steady, traditional favorite for generations.
Sherwood
Evoking the legendary forest of Robin Hood, Sherwood was a romantic old-fashioned choice in earlier eras.
Sigmund
A heroic Germanic name from old sagas, Sigmund has an antique, storybook strength.
Selwyn
A rare English name with medieval roots, Selwyn carries a quaint, old-world charm.
Sylvan
A softened form of Sylvanus, Sylvan has a gentle, pastoral old-fashioned quality.
Stewart
A royal Scottish surname name, Stewart has a traditional, dignified heritage feel.
Squire
An archaic occupational title turned rare first name, Squire has a distinctly old-fashioned English flavor.
Solomon Grundy
Though best known from a nursery rhyme, Solomon Grundy reflects how old given names entered folk tradition.
Saul
The first king of Israel in the Bible, Saul is a short, weighty name with deep old-fashioned roots.
Simon
Borne by an apostle of Jesus, Simon has been a steadfast traditional name across many centuries.
Sterling
Once tied to the quality of silver coinage, Sterling had old-fashioned use suggesting sound character.
Sanders
A patronymic surname name common generations ago, Sanders carries a plain, old-fashioned Americana feel.
Sancho
A traditional Iberian name familiar from classic literature, Sancho has an old-world charm.
Sextus
A Roman numeral name given to sixth-born sons, Sextus is a distinctly antique classical choice.
Septimus
Traditionally given to a seventh son in old Roman and Victorian families, Septimus has a scholarly, antique air.
Sherlock
An old surname name that predates its famous literary detective association, Sherlock has a distinctly vintage sound.
Sheldon
A place-name surname adopted as a first name in earlier generations, Sheldon has an old-fashioned suburban warmth.
Sigfrid
Rooted in old Norse-Germanic legend, Sigfrid (or Siegfried) carries an epic, storybook antiquity.
Siegfried
Hero of ancient Germanic legend and Wagnerian opera, Siegfried has a grand, old-world heroic quality.
Sonny
Once a common affectionate given name in early 20th-century families, Sonny has a folksy, old-fashioned warmth.
Sylvester
Duplicate note: also historically a papal name, reinforcing its old ecclesiastical pedigree in Christian Europe.
Sinclair
A noble Norman surname name, Sinclair carries an aristocratic, antique dignity.
Sherwin
A rare English surname name, Sherwin had modest old-fashioned use in earlier generations.
Somerled
An ancient Hebridean chieftain’s name, Somerled is a rare and distinctly historic Gaelic choice.
Swithin
Named for a 9th-century English bishop and saint, Swithin is a quaintly archaic English name.